Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

The ACCC is Australia’s peak consumer protection and competition agency. It is an independent statutory authority and is the only national agency dealing with competition matters. Our role is to promote vigorous and lawful competition, to encourage fair business dealings and to protect consumers from misleading and deceptive conduct.

ACCC graduates:

work in a national agency applying and developing existing skills and knowledge

complete three, 14-week rotations to gain experience across a range of areas of the ACCC such as: adjudication, corporate, enforcement and compliance, mergers and acquisitions or regulatory affairs

Australian Human Rights Commission

The AHRC is a national human rights institution, independent statutory organisation leading the promotion and protection of human rights in Australia. The Commission resolves complaints of discrimination or breaches of human rights under federal laws and holds public inquiries into human rights issues of national importance. It also provides legal advice to assist courts in cases that involve human rights principles and to parliaments and governments to develop laws, policies and programs. The Commission also undertakes and coordinates research into human rights and discrimination issues nationally as well as in conjunction with other national human rights institutions to address such issues at the regional level.

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

The APRA is the prudential regulator of the Australian financial services industry. It oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies, life insurance, friendly societies, and most members of the superannuation industry.

Australian Securities and Investment Commission

ASIC is Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator. They contribute to Australia’s economic reputation and wellbeing by ensuring that Australia’s financial markets are fair and transparent, and supported by confident and informed investors and consumers. ASIC offers a year long graduate program with four month rotations in one of their six offices across Australia.

Department of Attorney-General and Justice

The Attorney-General’s Department is charged with upholding the rule of law and providing support to the Australian Government to maintain and improve our systems for law and justice, national security, emergency management, and natural disaster relief. The Department deals with a number of areas, including: families and marriage; rights and protections; legal systems; crime and corruption; national security; emergency management; and international relations. The Department is broken up into three groups: civil justice and legal service group; strategic policy and coordination group; and the national security and criminal justice group.

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

The principal role of the Department is to provide high-quality policy advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Department assists the Prime Minister and Cabinet in policy matters, coordinates and monitors implementation of Government decisions, provides administrative support and facilitates government administration, intergovernmental relations and communications with State and Territory Governments. The Department provides policy advice on a range of issues, including: economic and industry policy, social policy, national security and international policy, and strategic policy.

Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman is a statutory office created by the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s functions include promoting harmonious, productive and cooperative workplace relations and ensuring compliance with Commonwealth workplace laws. The services of the Fair Work Ombudsman are free to all workers and employers in Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman operates independently of Government, making his own decisions about all investigations.

NSW Law Reform Commission

The Law Reform Commission is an independent statutory body that provides expert law reform advice to Government on matters referred to it by the Attorney General. Staff have the opportunities to work closely with Commissioners, who are at the top of the legal profession, and to contribute to the development of the law in new South Wales. The LRC has a summer and a winter unpaid internship program.

Reserve Bank of Australia

The Reserve Bank of Australia is Australia’s central bank. Its duty is to contribute to the maintenance of price stability, full employment, and the economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people.

The Reserve Bank offers a two-year graduate program consisting of various elements including business skills training, technical training, rotations and professional development opportunities. Many graduates have a high quality honours degree, however double-degree candidates and higher degree holders with a Masters or Ph.D. are also eligible.

Productivity Commission

The Productivity Commission is the Australian Government’s independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of Australians. The Commission falls within the Treasury portfolio, and its role is to help governments make strong policies in the long- term interest of the Australian community.

The Productivity Commission recruits employees through both graduate programs and specific vacancies. There is an online application process, which requires an essay, academic transcript and resume. The Productivity Commission seeks out graduates with analytical skills in a wide range of economic and social issues, including economic and social infrastructure, competition policy and regulation, trade, labour markets, environmental and natural resource matters, and general economic policy. Working for the Productivity Commission requires an understanding of economics, especially microeconomics. Skills in quantitative research, econometrics, law and other social sciences are also highly valued by the Commission.

Public Defenders Office

PDO provides high level legal representation for legally assisted people charged with serious criminal offences. We use our student interns and volunteers to assist with trial and other case preparation including research, brief preparation, preparing chronologies, assisting with written submissions, observing in court etc.

Head Office: Level 23, 1 Oxford St Darlinghurst NSW 2010

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.